2013 RPG of the Year Awards

2013 wasn't exactly a blockbuster
year for role-playing games, but that doesn't mean it was dull. The year had
long-established series keeping beat (Pokémon X & Y), classic franchises
returning (Ys, Fire Emblem, Shin Megami Tensei), and completely new games
debuting (Ni No Kuni, Dragon's Crown). While console RPGs might not be coming
in droves like they used to, handhelds have more than picked up the slack. So
what ended up being the best in a year that had small victories? Read on to
find out.

Best Narrative: Shin Megami Tensei IV

Shin Megami Tensei's core games aren't
known for their story elements, but rather their punishing difficulty. However,
Shin Megami Tensei IV had significant story depth regarding two characters with
opposing and compelling views trying to lure you their cause. Do you wish for a
lawful world that promotes peace, or another where the strong dominate? SMT IV
asks these questions then lets you see the outcome of the paths you've chosen;
some decisions have downright twisted consequences. With plenty of shades of
gray and interesting questions regarding religion, hierarchy, and humanity, SMT
IV made players think in a way few games do.

Best Combat System: Tales of Xillia

The combat in Tales just keeps getting
better. Tales of Xillia improves on an already-solid quick action battle system
by adding the link system, where you pair two characters together to flank
opponents. A linked character will aid you and provide special bonuses and
combo attacks. Finding the best characters to pair up depends on the situation;
a character with magic guard helps against enemies with powerful spells. Xillia
kept battles frantic, fast-paced, strategic, and fun, keeping up its reputation
as the RPG battle system to top.

Best Setting: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch

Ni No Kuni took us to a world
straight out of our childhood imagination. The vibrant, fantastical world that
Oliver visits is beyond stunning, thanks primarily to famed Studio Ghibli
visuals oozing with whimsy. This is a world without boundaries, where cats rule
kingdoms, trees talk, and each area, like the Fairygrounds and Ivory Tower,
teems with creativity. Ni No Kuni brought us all back to the days where our
imaginations went wild and we believed places like this truly existed. Not many
games locales can take you back to your childhood self.

Best Tactical RPG: Fire Emblem: Awakening

Fire Emblem came back this year
and proved why Intelligent Systems is still one of the best studios at creating
tactical RPGs. Whether you were fighting to keep all your combatants alive,
facing off against the tension of permadeath, or finding the best characters to
pair together for brutal attacks (or marriage), Fire Emblem: Awakening made you
think about every move carefully. With maps constantly upping the stakes with
more combatants and unforeseen exploits, players were constantly on their toes
and adapting, showing grid-based strategy gameplay is keeping up with the
times.

Click the next page to find out which RPGs we thought had the best cast and most innovative online along with the best remake and non-combat system...